The much acclaimed end to end challenge was lengthened by taking the journey down to the outskirts of London. Enabling a flying visit on the way, into the Isabel Hospice for a great deal of steaming coffee and then swiftly on to the Ace café for a few photos and some battery changes for the Police radios. The trip was trouble free for the majority of the miles travelled, a minor incident occurring just before the end with a small issue of diesel being used instead of unleaded (doh…day one stuff).

Quickly rectified, the remaining miles reeled off with darkness closing in. On target, Lands End very slowly appeared in the sights of outriders and their company. A quick decision by the last rider on the scooter, encouraged the whole team to get “hands on” and push the scooter over the finish line to a well chilled and previously secreted bottle of bubbly.

Just a few celebratory beverages were consumed before a well deserved hot shower and a sleep, that didn’t mean crashing out on any available seats found in the bus that didn’t have kit bags on.

The following morning the van loaded with the Support bikes and the Scooter, and the two mini bus loads of very tired Officers wind their weary way home. Glorious sunshine accompanied us on our return with a warm feeling inside for what we had just achieved, cheerful banter and a quiz over the radios, soon subsided for slumber as the voices lowered and the eyelids closed. Only the drivers had to put their sleep off for just a while longer.

We could not have done this without the support of our Senior Officers in both the Metropolitan Police Service and the City Of London Police Force.

In attendance: Sergeants Katrina Smith, Paul Mostyn,
PC’s Keith Johnson, Adrian Alsop, Ted stringer, Nick Brown, Brady Woodnick, Ian Burchell, Dave Carter, Alan Duke, Colin Paris, Rob Norman, Jeff Birbeck, Mark Anderson,
Edwin Sutton, Neale McConnell with Steve Horscraft and Fred Muffett from the City of London Police.
In support Marilyn Cranfield from Transport for London, and Sarah Kell BikeSafe London.

Many thanks go out to Honda and KCS who loaned us the support bikes and of course the scooter that was kindly donated by Chiswick Honda.

Thanks also to SixT for providing the much needed support vehicles, Tracker for kitting the scooter with the device to plot our way South and motorcycle-uk.com for updating the website throughout the weekend as we rode so supporters and everyone at home could keep in touch with our progress, Coca-Cola who kept us fizzy for the whole Journey, Red Bull who kept us awake and Ginsters for the pasties and pies.

And to the many other friends who came out at all times of the day and night to cheer us on, truly a team effort that extends beyond words.

Sgt. Paul Mostyn

 

Winner of the Moped!

Steve Gillett from Bristol is the lucky winner of the BikeSafe Moped used for the Charity Ride.

He said he is "over the moon" with winning the scooter as he is unable to use his regular motorcycle due to an old injury.

Steve is looking forward to being mobile again round his home town and will utilise it on a daily basis.

He bought his ticket at Ally Pally show from the BikeSafe London stand.

Steve went on to say "It was the best pound I've spent in a long time".